DESPICABLE ME 4 has a festive July 4th weekend debut, earnjng $72.4 million from 4,428 theaters Friday to Sunday for Universal Pictures. This gets 53% on the Tomatometer. Franchise best opening still goes to 2013’s DESPICABLE ME 2 with $83.5 million.

INSIDE OUT 2 continues it stellar run with $33.1 million from 3,760 theatres for Disney. Its domestic run now is at $536.9 million.

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE is at $21.3 million in third, playing at 3,688 theaters for Paramount Pictures. This brings its two week run to $94.6 million.

MaXXXine debuts in fourth with $8 million from 2,450 theaters for A24/VVS Films. This finale in Ti West’s X Trilogy, gets 76% on the Tomatometer. This almost doubles X’s 2022 debut at $4.3 million.

BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE gets $6.7 million from 2,644 theatres for Sony Pictures, a total $177.5 million over five weeks.

What would you tell your younger self? Toronto’s Megan Park directs MY OLD ASS, which premiered at Sundance and Inside Out ’24 to raves! Today we get to see the new Trailer! Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release in theatres this September.

In this fresh coming-of-age story, an 18th birthday mushroom trip brings free-spirited Elliott (Maisy Stella) face-to-face with her wisecracking 39-year-old self (Aubrey Plaza).

But when Elliott’s “old ass” starts handing out warnings about what her younger self should and shouldn’t do, Elliott realizes she has to rethink everything about family, love, and what’s becoming a transformative summer.

Amazon MGM Studios and Indian Paintbrush present, A LuckyChap Production.

Written and Directed by Megan Park

Starring Maisy Stella, Percy Hynes White, Maddie Ziegler, Kerrice Brooks and Aubrey Plaza

Produced by Tom Ackerley, Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara, Steven Rales

Executive Produced by Daniel Bekerman, Bronte Payne, Megan Park

Hey Footie fans! Looking for somewhere elevated to enjoy the Euro Premier Games and Finals? Here’s where you can catch all the action live in and around Toronto:

Kost
Location: Bisha Hotel, 80 Blue Jays Way, 44th Floor, Toronto
Ultra
Location: 12 St Clair Ave E, Toronto
Amal
Location: 131 Bloor St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto
Margo
Located in Clio, 600 King St W, 4th Floor, Toronto

Cabana: Eurocup Finals Viewing Party
Date: Sunday, July 14, 2024
Time: Doors open at 1:00pm
Specials: Ladies free before 3:00pm on guestlist
Age Restriction: 19+ event, valid photo ID required

Patois Toronto, the beloved dining hotspot known for its unique fusion of Jamaican and Chinese cuisine, is thrilled to announce the celebration of its 10th anniversary. Since opening its doors on July 5, 2014, Patois has become a cornerstone of Toronto’s vibrant culinary scene, delighting food enthusiasts with its soulful dishes and vibrant, inviting atmosphere.

Founded by renowned Chef Craig Wong, Patois Toronto has consistently pushed the boundaries of culinary creativity, seamlessly blending Chef Wong’s Chinese-Jamaican heritage with his classical French training. Over the past decade, Patois has garnered a loyal following and received accolades from both local and international food experts, establishing itself as a must-visit destination for food lovers in Toronto and beyond.

“Celebrating 10 years in this ever-evolving restaurant landscape is a significant achievement, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing community,” said Chef Craig Wong. “We opened Patois to bring the flavours and nostalgia of my Caribbean-Asian heritage and mesh that with the training and foods that inspired me. We’re celebrating this milestone with exciting giveaways and sharing our love with all who have been part of our journey.”

To commemorate this milestone, Patois diners should look out for favourite features from the past as well new & exciting offerings in the future, celebrating the rich culinary journey of the past ten years.

Patois Toronto recently celebrated this milestone with a vibrant party attended by over 150 friends, family, VIPs, and media. Sponsored by Appleton Estate Rum, Red Stripe Beer, Flying Monkeys Craft Beer, and Tawse Winery, the celebration showcased Chef Craig Wong’s expanded empire, including JunePlum and a rooftop patio private dining space. The milestone also marked a nod to the future with the introduction of Hardo Studios, a new kitchen studio sponsored by KitchenAid Canada, designed for recipe testing, cooking classes, intimate private dinners, and content creation. “Hardo Studios is a space for culinary innovation, a hub where people in the industry can gather, create, and share insights, findings, and food. Now that the space has launched, I’m looking forward to collaborating with other chefs and creatives to
create great content,” said Chef Wong.

In addition to the anniversary celebration, Patois will run 10 exciting giveaways throughout the month of July. Starting the week of July 9th, five giveaways will take place on Instagram at @patoistoronto, and five will be held in the restaurant for diners. Prizes for the Instagram giveaways include a Chronic Ink Gift Card, Sundays Coffee Club x Patois “Sunday Morning Kit,” Hello and Welcome Podcast prize package, Patois 10 Year Limited Edition Gift Pack and more.

For a chance to win on Instagram, participants must follow @patoistoronto, @juneplumto, and
@hardostudios.

The in-person giveaways will see five lucky diners winning a Patois 10 Year Limited Edition Gift Pack. Simply dine at Patois during the anniversary month for a chance to win this special prize. Patois Toronto invites all food enthusiasts, loyal patrons, and the community to join in the festivities and celebrate a decade of culinary excellence.

So thrilled to attended the celebrations! Some highlights:

For more information, visit www.patoistoronto.com or follow @patoistoronto on Instagram.

BOOKWORM starring Elijah Wood is set to open this year’s Fantastia Film Festival in Montreal. Here’s the Trailer and additional info about its premiere.

FANTASIA SCREENING DETAILS:
Opening Night Film
Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 6:30 PM
Auditorium des diplômés de la SGWU (Théâtre Hall)
1455 rue Maisonneuve O (rue Bishop)
Montréal QC H3G 1M8
Click here for more information.

SYNOPSIS:
During a time of crisis, a washed-up American magician Strawn Wise (Elijah Wood) and his precocious estranged daughter Mildred (Nell Fisher) take to the New Zealand wilderness, in search of a mythical black panther.

KEY CAST:
Strawn Wise – Elijah Wood (Yellowjackets, Come to Daddy, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy)
Mildred – Nell Fisher (Choose Love, Evil Dead Rise, Northspur)
Arnold – Michael Smiley (Obituary, Bad Sisters, Come to Daddy)

COUNTRY: New Zealand
LANGUAGE: English
RUNTIME: 104 minutes

DIRECTOR: Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy, Crab Boy)
WRITER: Toby Harvard (Come to Daddy, Tropical Cop Tales, The Greasy Strangler)
PRODUCERS: Emma Slade, Roxi Bull, Victoria Dabbs, Mette-Marie Kongsved, Laura Tunstall

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Daniel Katz, ISC
EDITOR: Dan Kircher
COMPOSER/SCORE: Karl Sölve Steven

CANADIAN DISTRIBUTOR: Photon Films

Today we get a new look at Alexandre Aja‘s NEVER LET GO starring Halle Berry! Cineplex Pictures release September 27, 2024.

Directed by: Alexandre Aja
Written by: KC Coughlin & Ryan Grassby
Produced by: Shawn Levy, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine & Alexandre Aja
Cast: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs & Anthony B. Jenkins
Story: From visionary director Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes, Crawl) and executive producers of Stranger Things and Arrival comes NEVER LET GO. In this new psychological thriller/horror, as an Evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother, played by
Academy Award® winner Halle Berry (Actress in a Leading Role, 2001 – Monster’s Ball), and her twin sons is their house and their family’s protective bond. Needing to stay connected at all times – even tethering themselves with ropes – they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival.

Sony Pictures Canada will release the Horror AFRAID, exclusively in theatres August 30, 2024! Today we get a new Trailer.

Genre: Thriller
Rating: This film is not yet rated by The Motion Picture Association. For future rating information, please visit www.filmratings.com. Credits not final.

Synopsis:
In AFRAID, Curtis (John Cho) and his family are selected to test a revolutionary new home device: a digital family assistant called AIA. Taking smart home to the next level, once the unit and all its sensors and cameras are installed in their home, AIA seems able to do it all. She learns the family’s behaviors and begins to anticipate their needs. And she can make sure nothing – and no one – gets in her family’s way.

Written and Directed by:
Chris Weitz

Produced by:
Jason Blum
Chris Weitz
Andrew Miano

Executive Producers:

Beatriz Sequeira
Paul O. Davis
Dan Balgoyen
Britta Rowings

Cast:
John Cho
Katherine Waterston
Havana Rose Liu
Lukita Maxwell
with David Dastmalchian
and Keith Carradine

Canadian director Lowell Dean’s action-horror DARK MATCH will have its World Premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival next month. The 80’s set wrestling film stars Canadian actors Ayisha Issa (Transplant) and Steven Ogg (Grand Theft Auto V, The Walking Dead), with pro wrestling legend Chris Jericho (Terrifier 2).

It will premiere in the Canadian-cinema focused Septentrion Shadows section of the festival on Sunday, July 21st at 6:30pm at the Henry F. Hall Building at Concordia University.

Penned by Lowell Dean (Wolfcop), the film was produced by Dept. 9 Studios’ John K. MacDonald, Don Depoe, and Michael Feehan, as well as Michael Peterson and Rhonda Baker. Blue Finch Films has boarded worldwide rights (excluding Canada).

Synopsis:
A small time wrestling company accepts a well-paying but too good to be true gig in a backwoods town only to learn, too late, that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader… and their event is now a pay-per-view fight to the death.

Fantasia Film Festival World Premiere:
Date: Sunday, July 21st at 6:30pm
Location: Henry F. Hall Building at Concordia University, 1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W

(Photo credit: Dept. 9 Studios)

Woodbine Entertainment and Rogers Sports & Media today announced they have entered into a multi-year media rights agreement for Canada’s most prestigious Thoroughbred horse race, The King’s Plate. This new media rights partnership will provide fans with an extensive lineup of live premier horse racing from around the world, offering more opportunities to enjoy the sport than ever before.

“We are thrilled to partner with Sportsnet and Citytv to deliver The King’s Plate – one of our country’s longest and most storied sporting traditions – and premier racing from Woodbine and around the world to sports fans across Canada,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “Through this new partnership we see an exciting opportunity to grow our sport and we look forward to working with Sportsnet to deepen sports fans’ connections and engagement with racing.”

As part of the agreement, the 165th Kings Plate on Saturday, August 17 will air on both Sportsnet and Citytv, and stream on Sportsnet+ and Citytv+. The second and third legs of the Canadian Triple Crown – The Prince of Wales Stakes (run at Fort Erie Race Track on Tuesday, September 10) and the Breeders’ Stakes (Woodbine Racetrack on Sunday, September 29) – will also air on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

In addition, fans can watch the following races from Woodbine Racetrack on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+: Woodbine Oaks presented by Stella Artois (Saturday, July 20), Greenwood Stakes (Saturday, September 7), Turf Champions Day (Saturday, September 14) which features the newly named Rogers Woodbine Mile, and Turf Finals Day (Saturday, October 5), featuring the Neartic Stakes and bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes. Select international races will also air on Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, Citytv, and Citytv+.

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of TIFF ’23 selection SING SING in Calgary and Halifax.

CALGARY – Screening Details:
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

Date: Wednesday, July 31st

Time: 7:00 PM

HALIFAX SING SING – Screening Details: 

Location: Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane

Date: Monday, August 12th

Time: 7:00 PM

Synopsis: Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

Starring: Colman Domingo, Paul Raci, Clarence Maclin and Sean San José. 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. On the post, indicate your City and tag a friend in the comments you’d like to bring along with you. Enter as many times as you like!

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release SING SING as follows:
Toronto – August 2, 2024
Vancouver & Montreal – August 9, 2024
Nationwide – August 16, 2024

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)